I can't seem to find a reason to model anymore

[Liwest]

Hi, I started using Blender about 7–8 months ago. I’ve loved modeling ever since I first played around with Tinkercad in class when I was a little kid in school. I had a lot of fun in my first few months with Blender because there were always new things to do and so much to learn (there still is, but I don’t have the motivation for it anymore). In recent months, I’ve modeled a lot of things—airplanes, computers, trains, etc.

But I don’t enjoy modeling because I lack a purpose—what can I do to fix this? A few weeks ago, a friend asked for help, and I made him a military helmet; that was really fun, but I haven’t received any more requests like that. In short, if any of you have a request—without asking for payment or anything else—I’d be happy to help; it would be beneficial for both of us.

Some of the models I’ve made (I couldn’t find a reason to finish most of them)

[Hadriscus]

Do you need a challenge to drive you forward ? There are frequent 3D challenges on various forums including this one

[Webslinger_616 (Arjun)]

maybe post work on artstaion, i think that is a reson and if you get any likes that maybe make you happy
your models look great by the way

[NiklasWerth]

Sounds like maybe you’d benefit from contributing to larger projects? Maybe you could join some game jam teams?

[NawaNotNoah1]

one thing that kept me going was switching from objects to characters. Blender is infinitely complex, and there are a lot of cool things to try aside from modeling, like shading, compositing, rigging, etc.

[mali_zweipunktnull]

Perhaps you could participate in the Weekend Challenges here on BA. It’s always a good reason to do something and try something new.

https://blenderartists.org/c/contests/weekend-challenge/25

[vitoli]

Challenge yourself in speed. Try doing a model in 1h.

[Worker_11811]

Your stuff looks pretty good!

It seems, to me, that you might be fighting your learning curve. You’ve learned a lot of stuff, really quickly and have done well. Now, when it’s time to move up to the next level, you find that you’re having a harder time and get discouraged.

Don’t worry! It’s normal. Everybody has “learning curve issues.”

The first thing I suggest is taking a break. Back off for a while. Let your mind settle and let what you’ve learned sink in. If you are, indeed, having learning curve issues, pushing harder will only discourage you more and you could even find yourself slipping backward. Give yourself some time to process what you’ve learned, already.

Spend some time away from Blender. Maybe watch a few tutorials or, better, buy a book and read it but, mostly, just put Blender down.

Your work is good! I like the trolley car and the bicycle! What do YOU think you need to work on?
I don’t see very many materials. Maybe you could switch modes and step away from modelling and teach yourself shading and making materials. Use models that you’ve already made as starting points. Another thing you could work on is lighting and scene design.

It’s really up to you, though. If you prefer to make models and you don’t like shading and materials, don’t worry about it. Go with modeling. In the real world, many people specialize. There are people who specialize in modeling, shading, lighting, animation and all sorts of things. Just look at the credits of any Pixar movie. You’ll see names of dozens of people, each with their own specialty. That’s the way movies are made! Go with your specialty if you want!

Still, my first advice is to step away from Blender and go outside, for a while. Hey! It’s SUMMER! Get out and enjoy the warm weather before winter comes!

Too many people think that being an artist means sitting in front of your canvas, paint brush in hand, bearing down on every detail of your work. (Or the computer analogy of pounding your keyboard. ) No! True creativity and true art are usually made when the artists is AWAY FROM his art! Getting up and out of the studio or the computer office allows the artist time to relax and absorb new ideas. If you chain yourself to your computer, you’ll only stagnate. Remember Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) in “The Shining?”… All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…

So, get up, get your ass outside and enjoy some of this nice weather we’ve been having before it gets cold again! Will ya’?!

[Liwest]

I don’t know how to find them but I would like to contribute.

[Liwest]

wow never thought it like that

[Liwest]

Thank you <3

[Liwest]

Part of the reason I started modelling was because of the modelling 3D characters but didn’t tested it yet

[Liwest]

Well yeah maybe may models look good but I don’t know lighting,texturing,shading those stuff was boring for me so I didn’t study them properly.

Also I ride bicycle everyday but it is too warm : P Thank you for your message.

@Worker_11811

been having before it gets cold again! Will ya’?!

[thorn]

@Liwest

But I don’t enjoy modeling because I lack a purpose—what can I do to fix this?

If you took up 3D up as a hobby, and are now not finding enjoyment in it… there’s no rule that says you have to keep doing it. Maybe the initial interest has just expired, and doing this longer-term isn’t your thing.

[Worker_11811]

Consider this good natured humor.

You don’t have to go out and ride your bike or do anything special! Just get out and enjoy the Great Outdoors! Just sit in the park and watch birds or sit on the beach while the sun sets. It’s not about what you do. It’s about what you DON’T do!

If you don’t get away and let your mind decompress and absorb new ideas, all you’re going to end up with is…

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

[Liwest]

No 3D modelling is a passion for me.

[Liwest]

Yeah I understand now

[NiklasWerth]

the main hub for online game jams is on itch.io, specifically https://itch.io/jams

If you’re not gonna solo it, you’ll usually wanna sign up for one in advance, so you can find a team in time. Most jams have discord communities around them that you can find a team in. You’ll want to prepare a bit of a portfolio to show people ahead of time, as many people are hesitant to agree to work with an artist who just says, “hey im a 3d artist looking for a team” without showing any of their work.

Some are monthly like Lame Jam, and I think recurring ones like that tend to have more of an active community sticking around looking for teams, I’m in the Lame Jam discord, and can attest that there’s multiple people in the team section who are coders looking for artists right now.

[Romanji]

@Liwest

I don’t have the motivation for it anymore

Don’t wait for “motivation”, its entirely optional.

You don’t need it. All you need is to make a choice in the here and now - decide to start, and start doing.

Get into the flow and have trust in the process, your ego will adjust (or maybe you forget you have one).

You don’t even need a goal to start, having no goal or purpose is totally fine.

The ego desires accomplishment, the ego needs purpose, the ego wants to experience, but desiring, needing and wanting things inevitably invites suffering. Before you know it judgemental thoughts creep in and you start comparing yourself and doubting yourself while desiring even more things outside your reach.

Don’t reach, don’t force, don’t control, don’t think, let it all go and just do.

If you can find that type of empty, selfless flow, just give “yourself” to it and all things come naturally.

You don’t even need to do anything.

In Taoism, “doing nothing” or “non-doing” is called Wu Wei.

In that state of mind, the doer and the action become one and nothing gets left undone.

Time flies, ego shuts up or vanishes completely and before you know it you’ve done something.

Or rather the universe has conspired with you to do something.

[GDZ10]

Many artists have problems with inspiration. One solution I saw recently is to think bigger - create your own IP (world building) and then flesh it out. A small scale version of this could be to attempt to create a simple game (perhaps in an engine like Godot) and think what kind of assets do I need for this game. And make those. Who knows, maybe you’ll even end up with something playable.

A simple example. I made this game following a very basic Godot tutorial.

Spacebar causes rocket to move, arrow keys tip right or left, avoid purple obstacle, land on green pad. It took me a couple of hours to make this. Now, lots of scope for modeling the assets and extending the ‘game’. And even a simple game can be fun.